Press briefing from the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman on: Nuclear Waste, Climate Change, Police Inquiry, Local Government White Paper and Abortion
Nuclear Waste
Asked whether David Miliband would be making a statement on Nuclear Waste, the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman (PMOS) said he thought there would be a statement in the House of Commons and journalists should wait for that. Asked whether the Prime Minister agreed with Jack McConnell who had allegedly said nuclear waste should be dumped in England; the PMOS said he had not yet seen the precise words and rather than respond to reports of them that might not represent what was intended
Climate Change
Asked whether the PMOS could reveal anything about a Climate Change Bill, the PMOS said he did not discuss new Bills before the Queen’s Speech. However, in general in the past we had expressed our view that yearly targets did not work. They did not take into account the ebbs and flows of emissions, or the ebbs and flows of the weather on the economy. But we believed it was appropriate to have longer-term targets and to work towards those in a series of stages. In terms of any legislation journalists should wait for the Queen’s Speech.
Police Inquiry
Asked if there had been any contact from the Scotland Yard, the PMOS said no. Asked if there was any expectation of the Prime Minister being questioned this week, the PMOS said that was a matter for Scotland Yard. Put there had been more reports that the Police had questioned Jonathan Powell, the PMOS said he would not comment on Civil Servants, temporary or otherwise.
Asked why the PMOS had commented on yesterday’s Evening Standard’s report, the PMOS said the story was about much more than Jonathan Powell. He had merely said he did not recognise the account given. The PMOS said he had responded to further questions by saying that in general terms the article seemed to be a work of fiction. The PMOS said he would not answer questions on individuals. He had not done it when other people had been speculated about in Downing Street and he would not do it in the case of Jonathan Powell. What he had done was to try to indicate that there had been a certain media buzz following earlier announcements elsewhere this week that there might now be some sort of activity in relationship to Downing Street. That was what he did not recognise.
Local Government White Paper
Asked if the Local Government Paper would be published tomorrow, the PMOS said journalists could look in expectation to that.
Abortion
Asked whether there was any change in the Governments position on reducing the term limits on abortion, the PMOS said he was not aware of any changes. As journalists knew any abortion vote was a personal matter.
delicious
digg
facebook
